Illusory elevator device.



PTENTED AUG. 15', 1905.'

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R F. RICE.. L'LUSORY ELEVATOR DBVUB.

A?PLIUATION `FILED JUNE l5, 1901i.

PATENTED AUG. l5, 1905.

R. F. RIGE.

ILLUSORY ELEVATUR DBVGE.

APPLICATION PILED JUNE 151 1904.

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No. '797,3'72. PATENTED AUG?. 15, R905.

R. F., RIOB.

ILLUSORY ELEVATOR DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, um.

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iltiillflllw WlY-tliltl@ Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1905.

Application tiled June 15,1904. Serial No. 212,701.

To (all 'wh/0711, ffl; 'ln/rtll/ cole/carat:

lie it known that l, Roem-rr 7F. Riou, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of liridgeporain the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful improvements in lllusory Elevator Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in illusory subterranean exhibition apparatuses for instalment at pleasure resorts and like places where people frequent for amusement in great numbers.

1t is the object of this invention to provide an illusory amusement elevator device which shall have the effect of giving' spectators a trip in an elevator-car to great depths in the earth and then guide them through proper channels to subterranean exhibitions of artificial and supposed natural wonders of any prearranged characters, but which spectacular device as a mattei' of fact is not of a subterranean character as supposed, but a building on the surface of the earth properly inclosed and provided with the necessary illusory devices to obtain the above etl'ect, including vestibules and elevator-cars, moving scenery,trip-levers, passage-ways, galleries, and like devices, as will be more fully described.

Vif' ith the above objects in view my invention resides and consists in the novel construction and combination of parts shown upon the accomjninyilig tour sheets of drawings,

' forming a part of this specification, upon which similar characters ot' reference denote like or corresponding' parts throughout the several figures, and of which Figure l shows a front elevation of the building' inclosing my novel illusory device, andespecially illustrating' the duplicate elevatorentrances. Fig'. 2 is a central vertical crosssection taken through the vestibules,M elevators, etc., on line 2 2 of 'Fig'. it, said elevator and the adjoining' mechanism being' in their normal positions. Fig. 3 is a similar cross-section, but with said operative parts in their shifted positions. Fig. t is a sectional plan view through my illusory mechanism o'n the linea 4, Fig'. 2, but with the scenic effects omitted. Fig. 5 shows a detail sectional perspective view through one side of the elevator-ear. Fig. G is a fragmentary sectional plan view on the line G (i, Fig.

ln the carrying out of my invention 1 have provided a suitable building' with preferably duplicate entrances, vestibules, and illusory elevator-cars and actuating' mechanisms, both sets of which are common to each other and which have exits leading' into a common apartment, as will be apparent from the accompanying' drawings. l will therefore use similar characters of reference to designate the eorresiionding' parts of the two sets ot' mechanism and in a measure describe in detail the construction and operation of but one set of said operative parts.

Referring in detail to the characters of reference marked upon the drawings, A represents the building' as a whole, which may be of any preferred material and exterior design, and, as before stated, with duplicate entranceways, each of which are designated by A. These entrance-ways are purposely made comparatively long' and narrow, and each leads to doors of their respective vestibules, elevatorcars, and supposed subterranean exhibits. rlhe door B, leading' from each of these entrances to the vestibule B, is located at the inner end of the vestibule and adjacent to one side. The 'loors of said vestibulcs are normally on a level with that of the entrances and also with the normal position of the floor of the elevatorcars C, located at the rear. To an outside observer these fronts and doors of the vestibules have the appearance of being' fronts to elevator-ears, since the inner or elevator doors proper are in a diagonally-opposite corner ol the vestibules and are not seen from without on account otl obstructing corner at R', (see dotted line a c, lfig'. 4,) and consequently outside spectators are led to believe that said doors and fronts belong to the car which con- Veys the passengers to the subterranean passages. lhis vestibule would be decorated in l'ieeping with a vestibule such as it represents, and the passeng'ers on entering are conducted through and into the car C. This vestibule is entirely open at its inner o1' rear side, as clearly shown in Fig. 4f, and is provided with a side door C, through which an attendant passes to open the front door to the vestibule and for permitting the attendant to pass out again to his station at Q when raising' or lowering the said apparatus, as will be more fully described. Upon the top of this vestibule is a roughlyconstructed second apartment ll, which is formed of rough boards, open upon two sides, (see Fig. 3,)nnamely, that nextto the car and that adjoining an alley-way lY, leading to the so-called H subterranean. exhibits. 'lhis substitute vestibule is designed to represent rough sheathing and timber such as are found in mines and like underground passages, and serves to better present the illusory effects to passengers when leaving elevatorcar C. These compartments or vestibules are suspended over a well E by means of a cable E, which is carried up over suitable pulleys E and provided with acounterbalancing-weight EW of proper size to equalize the weight of the vestibules, so as to permit of them being readily shifted up or down when empty to register with either the iioor of the entrance or elevator-car. In practice these compartments or vestibules are used alternately, the bottom one through which spectators are conducted when entering' the elevator-car, as shown in Figs. 2 and It, and the top one through which they pass when leaving the elevator-car, supposedly under ground, as indicated in Fig. 3.

In order to better insure the desired effect exterior-ly for the benefit of the public and prospective patrons, I have represented an elevator at the end of the passage-way by constructing the same with doors and panels to imitate the front of an elevator and also provided a rope F, pulley F, and decorated curtain G, all of which are drawn down in front of the upper compartment with the descent of the vestibule and which curtain is decorated to represent the brickwork of an elevatorshaft. The rope F, appearing centrally over the panels in question, is suitably attached to the building, as at G', and carried down under a pulley FQ secured to the top of the lower compartment of the vestibule, and then up over an idle pulley H and counterbalanced with a weight I, which clearly appears in Fig. 2. The same method is also employed in the use of the curtain Gr, which, as shown, has one end attached to the structure of the building, as at J, and is carried down under a roll and upward again, having an attached rope I', which is also carried over pulleys and provided with a weight I, permitting said curtain to play out with the descent of the vestibules or supposed elevator, as is clearly apparent from Figs. l and 2 of the drawings.

The so-called elevator car is reached through the door J at the far corner of the supposed elevator or vestibule and is in all respects upholstered and fitted up to represent a first-class elevator, including side windows K K, having curtains PQ as shown. This car is mounted in suitable guides K" and supported upon a central toggle-jointed support K, which is connected by links L and L to a lever M, connected with a rope M', said cable being passed over suitable guidepulleys M/ and through the car in a continuous manner. The purpose of this mechanism is not only to impart a sudden starting motion to the car, but also offers a descend- .ing feeling and belief to the passengers, while in practice the actual amount of downward movement of the car would be but a few inches. i

From the foregoing it will be apparent that with the manipulation of the rope M/ referred to the lever M would be raised in a way to draw out the toggle connection and drop the car down until it strikes the spring-abutment N, (shown in the drawings,) which contact imparts a jar or thrust to the apparatus similar to that experienced in many elevators when starting to descend, and especially when operated by an inexperienced or careless person.

In front of the windows K of the carI provide in a suitable pocket K" an endless curtain l in the form of a belt, passing over an upper and lower roll N, which is driven through belt connections O and O by a suitable motor P. The surface of this endless curtain may be decorated somewhat similar to the curtain G, attached to the top. of the movable vestibule B to represent brick and other objects such as are usually observed in the descent through an elevator-shaft of this character. Intermediate of this endless curtain and the face of the window of the car I provide a blank spring-shade P of ordinary construction and preferably of a dark color, which curtain is normally down, as shown in Fig. 5, and which with the starting of the elevator is automatically released and allowed to slowly wind upon its roll, thus gradually exposing' to view through the window the illusory endless curtain N', representing the elevator-shaft, which curtain would have already been set in motion, as indicated by the arrow, thus conveying to the spectators by reason of such movement of the curtains the feeling that they are descending' rapidly and deeply toward the carths center.

In illustrating my invention I have purposely omitted any effort to indicate or represent the respective locations or character of attractions which I shall provide for the amusement of my patrons aside from the above described, since it would not form any part of this invention, but may be covered by separate applications, being equally applicable for amusement in connection with other devices. These attractions, however, would necessarily be reached after alighting from the car and substitute vestibule.

The operation of my invention therefore is as follows: An attendant is normally located at Q, Fig. it, intermediate of the vestibules and is supposed to take care of the passengers on either side alternately and in the performance of his duties steps into the vestibule through the side door l, throws open the vestibule-door B, directing the spectators to the door of the elevator-car C, which would be operated by another attendant or elevatorman. After a sufcient number of persons have been admitted to the car the door of the car and the door of the vestibulel are both closed. to his post at (Q2, aiter which the second attendant or elevator-man signals the attendant at motor P to ,start the-endless curtain in motion and then manipulates the rope M in a lmanner to throw the lever M and operate the toggle-joint in a way to drop the cara few inches on its cushioned supports, simultaneously releasing the spring-shade l, as shown at R. The before-mentioned attendant stationed at Q thereupon lowers the vestibule by drawing down upon the same, thereby shitting the upper or roughly-constructed vestibule to a position occupied by the iirst-mentioned vestibule. This movement also draws the curtain G down, as previously described, presenting a view to an outside observer, as shown at G, Fig. l, whereujiion the elevator attendant, after signaling the attendant at motor P to stop the endless curtain N, reverses the motion of the rope. M, bringing the lever M and the links L L to their original position, thereby imparting a sudden upward motion to the so-called elevator-car. This movement is designed to produce an et'- lectsimilar to the stopping ot' an ordinary elevator and must be done simnltaneousl y with the stopping of the endless curtain N. The door to the elevator is then opened by the elevator attendant and the occupants allowed to pass ont through the rough board structure or vestibule to passage-ways leading to attractions provided.

Having thus described my invention, what i claim, and desire to secure by Letters ,Patent, is-

l. In an illusory device ot' the class described, the combination with an elevator-car bearing inclosed pockets on either side, windows between the car and pockets, and a traveling curtain within the pockets arranged to move across the front of said window.

2. ln an illusory device ot the class described, the combination with an elevator-car bearing inclosed pockets on either side, windows between the car and said pockets, a traveling curtain within the pockets arranged to move across the front of said window, and means for operating the same, all adapted to create an illusory movement olI the car.

3. 1n an illusory device of the class described, the combination with an elevator-car having suitable windows, ot a swing-shade therefor, an endless curtain adjacent to the shade, means for driving the curtain, and an inclosu re for said curtain and shade substantially as shown and described.

4. ln an illusory device of the class described, the combination with an elevator-car, an endless curtain adjoining the same, means for operating' it in a vertical direction to afford an illusoryY etlect from the inside of the car, and an inclosure tor said curtain opening into the car only.

The lirst attendant then steps back In an illusory device of the class described, thecombination with an elevator-car, a togglejoint with lever connections lor supporting and releasing the same, a rope passed through thecar and connected to said lever ior operating the same, springs beneath the car to support the same when dropped to its lower position sulfistantiaily as described.

6. ln an illusory device ol the class described, the combination with an elevator-car provided with guides, cushioned supports below the normal position oi the car, a toggle connection beneath the car lor supporting the same,

levers and ropes for operating the toggle-joint from within the car in a manuel' to lower the same in an abrupt manner.

7. lu an illusory device ol the class described, the combination with an elevator-car, a moving curtain arranged adjacent thereto, a pocket in which the curtain is housed, a toggle connected beneath the car `t'or supjiorting the same, levers and ropes for operating the toggle-joint Vfrom within the car in a manner to abruptly lower the same.

8. lu au illusory device of the class described, the combination with a suitable entrance, ot` a shiitable vestibule :uljoining the same, an elevator-car adjacent to said vestibule, doors to admit passengers through the vestilniilc `to the car, endless curtains arranged to move vertically adjacent to the car and means Vtor imparting movement to the car.

9. ln an illusory device ot the class described, the combination with an elevator-car, ot' endless vertically-moving curtains arranged adjacent thereto, movable vestibules adjacent to the car, adapted to be shifted and used alteruately in the transferring ol passengers to and [from the car respectively.

10. An elevator-car otl the class described, the combination with a pair otl vesti bules with means for alternately shitting the same in line with the ear, one to admit passengers therethrough to the car and the other through which to go out.

1i. ln an illusory device et' the class described, the combination with an elevator-car, o'lE a pair otl vestibules adapted to alternately move to and trom the entrances to said carin a way to admit passengers through one and discharge them through the other, au entranceway to one of said vesti bules and a passageway leading from the other vestibule.

12. The combination with an elemtor-car, oit a pair of movable vestibules adjacciit to the entrances ot' said elevator-car, one to admit passengers to the car, and the other through which they are discharged.

i3. 'lhe combination with an elevator-car, ot' a pair ot' movable vestibules located one above the other and adjacent to the entrance oil.: said car, one vestibule to admit passengers to the car and the other through which they are discharged.

,l`he combination with an lcle\i"ator-car,

of apair of movable vestibules joined together and located adjacent to the car-entrance, one vestibule to admit passengers to said car and the other through which they are discharged.

l5. The combination with an elevator-car, of a pair of vertically-movable vestibules formed together' one above the other, adjacent to the entrances to said elevator, one to admit passengers to the car and the otherV through which they are discharged, an entrance-way for said elevator leading' to said first-mentioned elevator, an illusory curtain adapted to be exposed to cover said entrances by theidownward movement of the vestibules.

16. In an illusory device of the class described, the combination with a car, of a pair of vertically-movable vestibules adapted to alternately move to and from the entrances of said elevator, a curtain arranged to be eX- posed in lieu of one of said vestibules with a downward movement thereof in a way and decorated to represent an elevator-shaft, and a rope also arranged to be displayed with a downward movement ci' vestibules in imitation of an elevator-supporting cable.

17. VIn an illusory device of the class described` the combination with a building and a car having' an entrance thereto, of a vestibule adjacent to the car having' an entrance in a diagonally opposite corner from that of the entrance to the car, and an obstruction eXterior oi' the vestibule to prevent a view ot' the car-en trance through the entrance of the vestibule.

18. In an illusory device of the class described the combination with a suitable building and an elevator-car having an entrance, of a movable vestibule adjacent thereto containing an entrance diagonally located 'from the entrance of the car, and an obstruction to prevent seeing' the car-entrance through the vestibule-entrance from the exterior oi' the building.

i9. In an illusory device of the class described, the combination with a suitable structure, ot' an elevator-car within the same containing an entrance, a vestibule adjacent to said car and having an entrance diagonally located from that ot' the car, a passage-way leading to the vestibule andan obstruction to prevent a viewing of the car-entrance through the vestibule-entrance when the-same is open.

20. In an illusory device of the class described, the combination with a suitable structure, and an elevator-car within the same having an entrance, a vestibule adjacent to said car, and having an entrance located diagonally from that of the car and a passageway leading to the vestibule containing an obstruction which prevents a viewing' of the car-entrance through the vestibule-entrance when the same is open.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fai:- tield and State of Connecticut, this 8th day of June, A. D. 1904;.

a ROBERT F. RICE.

lilitnesses:

C. M. NEWMAN,

RUTH RAYMOND. 

